Crime & Safety

11 Car Break-Ins Reported in Decatur

'We are currently working with the Avondale Estates Police Department to share information and determine if these cases may be related.'

by Sgt. Jennifer S. Ross

On Jan. 14, Decatur Police received reports of 11 vehicles entered during the overnight hours in the Winnona Park neighborhood.

The vehicles were located in:

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  • the 100 block of Avery Street
  • the 100 block of Hilldale Drive
  • the 200 to 300 blocks of Winnona Drive
  • the 100 block of Shadowmoor Drive.
Some of the vehicles were knowingly left unsecured and others may have been left unsecured unintentionally.  There were no signs of forced entry to any of the entered vehicles.

Most of the vehicles were parked in driveways, but a few were parked on the street.

Items taken from the entered vehicles include:
  •  a wi-fi device
  • iPod
  • phone chargers
  • checkbook
  • flashlight
  • loose change
  • ear phones
  • laptop
  • Xbox game system and controller
  • digital camera
  • 6-pack of paper towels
  • sunglasses
  • chewing gum
  • Bluetooth transmitter.
Many of the items taken were in plain view. 

We understand that some residents do not want to lock their vehicles in the hopes of preventing a window being broken out but we encounter entering auto suspects who specifically target unsecured vehicles because it is easier and makes less noise.

Whether or not you choose to secure your vehicle or not, please remove any valuables from plain view.  Place items in the trunk or take them with you. 

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Also, if you have or are looking to install motion activated lights at your home, make sure the lights are installed so that someone walking into your driveway will trip the motion sensor. 

There have been seven similar cases reported in the Kensington Road area today and we are currently working with the Avondale Estates Police Department to share information and determine if these cases may be related.


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